Army life
INSIDE
Join the team
that makes
a difference
Do something amazing
with your medical career
OPPORTUNITIES
HEALTHCARE ROLES
VETERINARY JOBS
DENTAL CAREERS
GREAT TRAINING
YOUR GUIDE TO
ARMY MEDICAL
SERVICES
TELLING IT
LIKE IT IS
WELCOME
“Work is never mundane when
you’re delivering medical care
in a real combat zone” p14
Corporal Tim Hicks, 31
RAMC Clinical Physiologist (Regular)
A
sick army can’t do its job
properly, and it’s the role of
the Army Medical Services
(AMS) to keep soldiers, officers
and military animals fighting fit.
Its team of medics, dentists and
vets are trained to deliver expert
care to the injured and unwell.
You will play a critical role in
combat, and make a difference to
the lives of others in peacetime.
You’ll also get to put your skills to
the test in unique environments
– ones you won’t experience in a
civilian hospital or workplace.
And more than any other part
of the Army, the AMS relies on its
Territorials, presenting you with
the chance to develop fresh skills
in your spare time. You can even
give your civilian career a boost
by picking up additional specialist
qualifications. Add to this the
chance to do adventurous training
abroad, and to learn from some of the country’s best healthcare
professionals, and a role in the AMS
is as rewarding as it is challenging.
For the lowdown on what life is like in the Army
Medical Services, there’s no one better to ask than
the healthcare professionals serving right now
“You don’t have
to wait forever to be handed
responsibility in the Army –
you’re thrown into the action
almost straight
away”p18
Private Aaron Rennie, 23
RAMC Operating Theatre
Practitioner (Regular)
“The Army has enabled me
to gain many qualifications
and now I am Corporal I can
access the Foundation
Degree in Health and Social Science”p12
CONTENTS
Corporal Letso Rapoo, 26
QARANC Healthcare Assistant (Regular)
Sport and lifestyle
4
Making a difference
6
Anatomy of the AMS
12
Career opportunities
14
Your next move
26
ff-duty thrills for the soldiers and
O
officers of the Army Medical Services
How training prepares AMS experts to
carry out treatment on the battlefield
“I wanted to experience new things, but I didn’t
expect to be driving for the Army rally team”p4
Corporal Emma Morrison, 33, RAMC Operating Theatre Practitioner (Territorial)
2
“You get the chance to meet new friends – and to cement those relationships in exotic places around the world” p6
Captain Johrene Devlin, 29
QARANC Nursing Officer (Regular)
How the AMS’ four corps pull together to deliver vital healthcare in the field
The full range of jobs and roles on offer in the military’s medical team
The next step towards a challenging
career at the heart of the action
3
AT EASE
CHILLS, SPILLS AND
DRIVING THRILLS
Sean’s desire to test
himself has taken him
to some far-flung places
The AMS’ medics, vets and dentists get to take part in some truly
weird and wonderful activities in their spare time…
M
edicine is a very demanding
profession. As well as all the mental
effort and concentration needed for
hours of study, you need to be able to
think on your feet and make tough decisions under
pressure. So it’s no surprise that these skills have
helped some members of the Army Medical
Services to become stars of the sports arena as well as heroes in the operating theatre.
Corporal Emma Morrison knows more about
thinking under pressure than most. As a Territorial,
she combines her role as a civilian nurse with a
military career in her spare time, and still finds time
to be a co-driver in the Armed Forces Rally Team.
And she loves every minute of it. “Racing at
120mph down a narrow dirt road gives you a
massive adrenaline rush,” laughs Emma. “You and
your driver have to work as a tight team and be
professional because you’re responsible for each
other. It’s not dissimilar to teamwork in combat.”
MAJOR SEAN GREAVES, 32
RADC DENTIST (REGULAR)
An arctic jog, you say? Marvellous idea...
I’ll just go and fetch my winter coat
You could say Sean Greaves likes a challenge. He has
conquered two mountains and relaxes by cross-country
skiing in Norway. But even he seemed to have pushed
himself too far when he ran a North Pole marathon
as part of a three-man Army team.
“We had to do 10 laps of a 2.6-mile loop,” says Sean.
“There were snow drifts where you sank to your knees.
When we finished it there was a massive sense of
euphoria. Our combined times won us the team event!
“Adventurous training takes you out of your comfort
zone, and doing a marathon in one of the most remote
parts of the world was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Major Ann O’Flynn, 35
RAVC VETERINARY OFFICER (REGULAR)
CORPORAL EMMA MORRISON, 33, RAMC
OPERATING THEATRE PRACTITIONER (TERRITORIAL)
The vet who’s equally at home on the
sports field as she is in the surgery
Emma wanted a new challenge, and ended up
co-driving in the Armed Forces Rally Team
A few years ago, someone asked Emma Morrison for a
favour. They needed her to drive the service vehicle that
carries the Armed Forces Rally Team’s spare parts. Emma
agreed, and her life has never quite been the same since.
“I enjoyed it so much, and I was invited to become a
co-driver in the team,” she remembers. “We race Land
Rovers in the British Rally Championship each year.”
And Emma recently jumped at the chance to track test
a Mini – especially one that had been tuned to within an
inch of it’s life by mechanics from the Royal Electrical and
Mechanical Engineers. “Minis are like little go-karts,” she
says. “They did an amazing job with the engine, and it
was the best fun I’ve had in a car for ages.”
Emma has had a few “little scrapes” during her Army
rallying career but, as she puts it, “memorable moments
are what careers in the Army are all about”.
4
Four-minute-mile hero and Olympian Sir Roger Bannister was also a Captain in the RAMC
The Army’s support
is key to Ann’s success
on the rugby pitch
Once you’ve completed a five-year veterinary
degree and taken on a challenging job tending
to the Army’s working animals in the toughest
environments, there probably isn’t much more
for an ambitious young vet to achieve. Unless
the vet is Major Ann O’Flynn, that is.
As well as being an Army Vet, Ann plays rugby
for England, earning 23 caps so far. She is also
part of the Army’s all-conquering side, and was
a member of the first ever women’s team to play
at Twickenham rugby stadium.
“I get huge satisfaction from working with
people who care about animals as much as me,”
says Ann. “The Army recognises the importance
of sport, so I can fit my rugby training in around
my working day. They’re the ideal employers.”
5
IN ACTION
on the front line
Captain Johrene Devlin, 29
QARANC Nursing Officer (Regular)
Soldier-turned-officer Johrene was initially
drawn to the Army by the active lifestyle
it promised. Her other big passion at the
time was nursing, so she couldn’t believe
her luck when the Army said they would
sponsor her through university – and
guarantee her a job after she graduated.
Years on, she’s travelled the world, taken
part in untold sports and gained a wealth
of experience, but her appetite for nursing
and helping others still hasn’t waned…
SARAH WILKIN-
making A
difference
In her own words, Captain Johrene Devlin tells us how it feels to save lives and
rebuild communities abroad as a member of the Army’s medical support team
T
he best thing about being in the
Army is the variety of work – you
never know what to expect next. I
was working at a military hospital
in Portsmouth one day last year when I got
a call from the Royal Highland Fusiliers.
They were looking for nurses to fly out
with them to Belize in South America.
6
They’re an Infantry regiment who were
going off to do jungle warfare training and
they needed a team from the AMS to
provide medical support. I took the call at
four in the afternoon and was at the airport
ready to fly out the following morning.
Belize is a really tiny coastal country
with a tropical climate, and the Army ➤
Only three people have won the Victoria Cross twice – two of them were Army doctors
7
IN ACTION
life outside work
Army life has plenty of rewards to offer in
your spare time as well as on the job. And
Captain Devlin makes the most of them…
I’ve always linked the Army with the idea of being fit and packing loads of
activities into your spare time, and that was a big part of the attraction for me.
I’ve always spent my spare time doing sports, so it was great to discover that I
could continue in the same vein once I’d joined the Army. And wherever in the world you
are based, they always make sure there are things to do as well as time to just chill out.
In Belize, after working under such pressure, it was such a relief to spend some
downtime with everyone and get to know them better. Then there were loads of
activities laid on for us by an Army Physical Training Instructor. He organised something
different for us to take part in each day. On the first day we were taken out in a boat
and we got to swim in the sea with sharks and stingrays, which was absolutely
amazing. Over the week we also trekked in the hills, and did abseiling and
waterfall jumping. And the best thing is that it’s all considered part of my job.
➤
“We needed to familiarise
ourselves with jungle insects,
snakes and spiders so we
knew how to treat any bites”
➤ does its jungle training in the rain
forests there. At first we were stationed in
a medical centre on camp before moving
out into the jungle with the Infantry unit.
You take your medical bag, an ambulance
and whatever you can fit in the back of it, and that has to equip you to deal with
just about anything.
Wherever we deploy – on exercises or
operations – the biggest challenge for the
medical staff is to constantly provide an
NHS standard of care. This isn’t easy
because we often shift location and we
operate in some harsh conditions. In
8
familiarise ourselves with lots of different
species of insects, spiders and snakes so
that if someone got bitten, we’d know how
to treat them. It’s very rare to get this type
of experience working in an NHS hospital
in the UK, and it was a real eye-opener.
Belize we had to commandeer some of the
small buildings dotted around the jungle
and convert them quickly into ad hoc
medical centres. If we found ourselves
running short of supplies, we’d phone the
medical centre back at base and they
would bring out whatever we needed. If someone had a really serious injury, we could call for help from an Army
helicopter and it would come and evacuate
the patient to the main medical centre.
One of the big considerations with
illness and injury in the jungle is the
native wildlife. It was part of our job to
The British Army invented guerrilla warfare in the jungles of Malaysia during WWII
Creature comforts
The most rewarding thing was delivering
great service while working and living in
such harsh surroundings. We set up some
showers for ourselves, but in general the
living conditions were really basic. It’s only
when you’ve finished the exercise and get
back to all the comforts of the base camp
that you begin to realise how much you’ve
learned. You look back and appreciate how
useful the experience has been. It’s also the
time when you start to wind down and get
the chance to enjoy the country itself. The
Army recognises the value of downtime
on operations – wherever you’re serving –
and the officers in charge had organised a
barbecue to welcome us back to base.
Then it was off to do some adventurous
training. There are some really beautiful
beaches in Belize, and also amazing
On operations, the British Army helps to treat
injured locals as well as its own combat troops
adventurous training facilities so, on top of the jungle training, soldiers on exercise
get to combine work with the fun stuff.
It did feel a bit like a holiday at times –
the beaches we spent much of our time on looked like something from a holiday
brochure. You work very closely with each
other in high-pressure situations when
training – as you do on tour – so it’s good
to have the chance to relax together
afterwards as well. You get to see your
colleagues in a completely different
context – the atmosphere is brilliant.
While this all sounds like good fun, the training was hard work and very
worthwhile. When you deploy for real on
operations, the experience you gain in
places like Belize suddenly becomes
extremely valuable. You already know what
it’s like to perform your role in difficult
conditions, to make decisions under
pressure and to work as part of a team. I felt well prepared when I first did an
operational tour to Iraq. I’ve been there
twice now. When you’re working in
Accident and Emergency in the NHS, you
might treat people with cuts, grazes and ➤
9
IN ACTION
territorial
task force
Army medics and
nurses often play a
humanitarian role
Territorial Nursing Officer
Ibok Okon got the excitement
she craved in her spare time…
I enjoy my civilian nursing career
but I wanted the chance to meet
new people in my spare time, and
to learn about different global cultures.
There are more Territorials than Regulars in
the AMS – they couldn’t operate without us –
so I was made to feel welcome from the start.
Treating combat troops in the middle of all
the action really sharpens your skills, but
working with local people is the thing
I find most rewarding. Caring for others was
what drew me to medicine initially,
and in the Army you get to do this
in some really amazing countries.
see p26 for details on how
to serve in your spare time
“You don’t just look after your
own on tour. We also reach out
to local people who need help”
➤ all sorts of things that are often quite
minor. In Iraq, I was treating the most
urgent cases – and it was a massive
challenge. Responsibility comes much
earlier in your AMS career than it does in civilian hospitals.
Holding your nerve
On operations you might also be called
out as part of an ambulance service, so to speak. You have to be prepared to go out in the field as part of an Immediate
Response or Medical Emergency Team.
You go out in helicopters and sometimes
provide care in the field, rather than
bringing patients back to the hospital,
because you can’t afford to wait. It’s nervewracking, but you have to just think past
that and do the job you’re trained to do.
A lot of the time you deal with injured
soldiers, but you also treat local civilians
who’ve been injured in conflict. And you
often provide support for local medical
10
The AMS are always
ready to respond
to an emergency
facilities and help to rebuild hospitals –
giving something back to the countries in which you’re working.
In Iraq, I treated one British soldier
whose injuries were so severe that we
didn’t think he’d make it. Six months later,
back home, he came up to me in the street
and thanked me for the care he’d received.
At first I didn’t know who he was, but
when he told me his name and described
his injuries I immediately recalled him. I
came away from that thinking, “I’ve made
a real difference to this person’s life”.
It’s all part of what makes nursing in the
Army a great career. I get the chance to
make a positive impact on the lives of
soldiers, officers and even local people.
And I get to experience different
environments – everything from hospital
units in the UK and Belize to field
hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan. There’s
no way I’d get to experience these types of challenges and situations in a civilian
hospital, so I’m glad I took the decision to join the Army. On top of this I can take
advantage of other rewards like sport,
great facilities, first class coaching and
adventurous training around the world. It’s
a fantastic package and, right now, I can’t
imagine wanting to do anything else. ■
did you know...
n QARANC’s roots can be traced back to 1854
and Florence Nightingale’s work treating
injured soldiers in the Crimean War.
n German Shepherd dog Sam
was awarded the Dickin medal
(right) – the animal equivalent
of the Victoria Cross – in 2002
for disarming an enemy
gunman while working for
an RAVC unit in the Balkans.
n The British Army first began
promoting oral health in 1660
to ensure soldiers had enough teeth to
bite open gunpowder pouches for their
muskets. This is where the phrase ‘biting
the bullet’ originates from.
n Penicillin discoverer Sir Alexander Fleming
served as a Territorial doctor during WWI.
There are actually more Territorial soldiers and officers in the AMS than Regulars
11
IN DETAIL
healthcare
in the field
Healthcare Assistant Letso Rapoo, 26, reveals how the AMS
fights to sustain the health of troops and animals on tour
I wasn’t sure what to expect from
my first operational tour. I had
envisaged sweating away in a tiny
tent in the middle of nowhere, with only
makeshift equipment to work with. So I got
quite a surprise when I eventually deployed
– Field Hospitals are bigger than some NHS
facilities back in Britain.
The first thing the Army does in major
campaigns is establish a base camp from
which military action can be coordinated.
Building a medical unit to provide health
and dental care is priority number one.
RAVC
Military Working Dogs
are trained to locate and
arrest intruders, and to sniff out
enemy weapons. Maintaining
their discipline and health is the
responsibility of the Royal Army
Veterinary Corps (RAVC).
The AMS’ first contact with the injured comes
out in the field. Emergency Response Teams
work close to the front line, their Combat
Medical Technicians using expert training to
deliver on-the-spot treatment in the field.
Patients with more serious injuries are
transported from the combat zone to the Field
Hospital by Battlefield Ambulance or helicopter.
Once there, the corps of the AMS can treat
them for a wide range of combat injuries. We
make a vital contribution, and it’s
rewarding to make a difference to
the lives of soldiers and officers.
AIR SUPPORT
This Chinook is loaded with
essential medical supplies
from the UK. The powerful
passenger helicopter is also a
lifeline for serious casualties
who need airlifting to safety.
RADC
Everybody knows how
debilitating toothache
can be, but in combat this type
of distraction is not an option.
The Royal Army Dental Corps
(RADC) delivers all aspects of oral
healthcare, from preventative
treatment to emergency
procedures in the field.
QARANC
The expert nurses and
healthcare assistants of
Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army
Nursing Corps (QARANC)
perform crucial roles at home
and abroad. They lend their
support to NHS hospitals in
peacetime, and provide medical
treatment in Field Hospitals
on operations.
RAMC
The professionals of the
Royal Army Medical
Corps (RAMC) are among
the most important people on
the battlefield. The surgeons,
anaesthetists, doctors and
medics combine expert medical
training with the Medical
Support Officers’ command and
leadership skills to coordinate
large-scale trauma situations
and humanitarian operations.
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE TEAM
An Emergency Response
Team evacuates critically
injured soldiers from the
base. Loaded carefully
onto the waiting Chinook
helicopter, these patients
will be transferred to
hospitals in the UK.
IMMEDIATE
RESPONSE TEAM
DOG HANDLER/TRAINER
RAVC Dog Handler/Trainers patrol
the perimeter fence with Military
Working Dogs, which are trained to
detect intruders and locate explosives.
An IRT awaits the arrival of
wounded patients, carried
from the front line by Chinook
helicopter. The dedicated landing
area also allows Army helicopters
to drop in and out with supplies.
AMBULANCE
The AMS’ versatile Battlefield Ambulances
transport medics to the front line, and
bring the injured back to base.
OPPORTUNITIES
THE ROLES
Choose your ideal role in the Army Medical Services and
see what a career in military healthcare can do for you
T
he men and women of the
Army Medical Services are
among the most important
people on the battlefield.
British troops rely on their expertise in
combat, and delivering healthcare to
soldiers and officers in the field is the
ultimate test of their medical training.
A career in one of the AMS’ four
corps offers fantastic rewards. It gives
you the chance to develop new skills,
and face challenges you’re unlikely to
encounter anywhere else. Plus you’ll
keep picking up medical qualifications,
which are valuable whether you’re
thinking ahead to your career after the
Army, or you’re a Territorial looking to
boost your skills in your spare time.
Expert training allows you to adapt
your knowledge to the needs of combat
troops, while top leadership coaching
teaches you how to motivate those
around you. You could even learn how
to plan, run and co-ordinate disaster
relief and humanitarian operations.
And while qualifications are identical
to those awarded in the civilian world,
AMS professionals get handed greater
responsibility much earlier in their
career – and at a much younger age.
But the biggest reason to consider a
role in the Army’s medical team is the
chance to make a difference. Not just
to the fortunes of British troops on
military operations, but also to the lives
of people and communities worldwide.
KEY TO SYMBOLS
Use these icons to match your
skills with the jobs on offer
“I joined from the NHS,
but after experiencing the
front line I can’t imagine
going back to my previous
life before the Army”
Corporal Tim Hicks, 31
RAMC Clinical Physiologist (Regular)
ANIMALS
MANUAL
COMBAT
TECHNICAL
DRIVING
TERRITORIAL
IT
TRAVEL
ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL
CORPS (RAMC)
BIOMEDICAL SCIENTIST
The Role You will be part of a clinical
team deployed on operations. Working
from field laboratories, your team will
provide pathology services for patients,
assist in the diagnosis, containment and
treatment of diseases, and deal with the
provision of blood products.
The Skills During training you will rotate
through the core disciplines of clinical
chemistry, clinical haematology,
transfusion science and medical
microbiology before concentrating on
specific state-registered subjects. If you
join as a Territorial you should already be
qualified in clinical chemistry, haematology
and transfusion or microbiology. You
should also currently be working in the
secondary healthcare environment.
CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGIST
Job notes
The Role As a Clinical Physiologist you will
help Medical Officers to diagnose heart,
lung and brain conditions. You will use a
wide range of non-invasive equipment to
assess the function and anatomy of these
organs. And you will be expected to do
this in a range of environments, from
modern hospitals to field units kitted out
with specialised portable equipment.
The Skills You will study for a part-time
degree in Clinical Physiology (Cardiology),
and will also do test-specific courses and
Intermediate Life Support (ILS) training.
Once qualified, you will have the chance
to work towards an MSc in Cardiology/
Echocardiography or a British Society of
Echocardiography accreditation.
Name: Cor poral Tim Hicks, 31
Job: RAMC Clinical
Physiologist (Regular)
In my role I deal
with non-invasive
cardiology and also lung
respiratory function. It’s
a big challenge because you need an
ths
understanding of chemistry, physics, ma
and physiology. But what I particularly
got
enjoy is contact with patients. If you’ve
eer
an interest in science but also want a car
that involves caring for people, then
clinical physiology is the way forward.
14
COMBAT MEDICAL TECHNICIAN
The Role Combat Medical Technicians
(CMTs) have advanced life-saving skills
and use them to help trauma patients both
in peacetime and during conf lict. ➤
Visit army.mod.uk/jobs to see which specialist job suits you
15
OPPORTUNITIES
WHAT I DO
➤ You will also provide routine
Biomedical Scientists are
responsible for taking, studying
and interpreting samples
healthcare to Army personnel. CMTs work
in challenging situations close to the front
line. You will tend to the wounded and
must show a genuine commitment to
treating and caring for others.
The Skills You will receive specialist
instruction at the Defence Medical
Services Training Group. The course
covers anatomy and physiology, clinical
skills, medical administration, pharmacy,
advanced first aid, advanced trauma and
life saving, and environmental health.
Regulars and Territorials will receive
appropriate training in how to deliver
medical care in hostile environments.
Qualified paramedics and ambulance
technicians are particularly welcome.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
TECHNICIAN
The Role Your role is to promote good
health and contain the spread of disease.
Your priority is the British Army but you
may also be required to support the Royal
Navy and Royal Air Force. Environmental
Health Technicians are experts in water
supplies, food hygiene, occupational
hygiene and pest control.
The Skills You will learn how to identify,
inspect and control resources vital to the
survival of your troops, such as water,
waste, accommodation, food, climate and
hygiene. You will acquire the necessary
skills to control environmental and
27
Name: Cor poral Mereoni Matanawa,
)
ular
(Reg
t
ntis
Scie
Job: RAMC Biomedical
industrial hazards, and will be taught
how to manage environmental health
problems in the event of a nuclear,
biological or chemical incident.
Name: Captain Johann
Jeevaratnam, 25
Job: RAMC Doctor
(Regular)
DOCTOR
Why did you join the Army?
I chose medicine as a career when I was 14,
and decided on the Army two years later.
Combining military and medical careers
means you get to enjoy the best of both
worlds. You do the same surgery training
as doctors in the NHS, so you won’t miss
out on anything.
How do feel about going on tour?
That’s the main attraction of the job for me,
and it’ll only help me with my career as a
doctor. I’ve learned to deal with challenging
situations in the field – ones I wouldn’t face
if I spent my whole career working in the UK.
16
Job notes
“Military doctors are handed a great deal
of responsibility at
an earlier stage in
their Army career”
Captain Johann Jeevaratnam, 25
RAMC Doctor (Regular)
For more information about these jobs go to army.mod.uk/jobs
The Role Wherever British Army troops
are deployed, Medical Officers go with
them to provide vital medical support.
Your role will range from providing
immediate first aid emergency care in
the field to routine treatment or longterm care at medical centres and hospitals.
Life in the field means tackling a myriad
of ailments, and you will also advise on
health matters such as disease prevention.
The Skills The Army particularly needs
general practitioners as well as
consultants in most hospital specialities.
Doctors joining the Army who have not
yet undergone specialist training serve as
General Duties Medical Officers before
receiving accredited medical training
from the Royal Army Medical Corps. You
will also train at certain NHS hospitals
and facilities on your way to becoming a
qualified consultant in hospital medicine
or a trained general practitioner.
I work in labs checking samples
taken from military personnel.
get the results
We have two days to analyse them and
d, so I work in
back to the doctor. I’m multi-discipline
biology. During
biochemistry, haematology and micro
dical role,
operations I take on a more general me
the field.
taking and analysing blood samples in
MEDICAL SUPPORT OFFICER
The Role You will command, deliver and
sustain medical capability for the Army.
You may be coordinating an evacuation
from the front line or assisting in the
reform a country’s failing health system.
Throughout your career you will be
working in wider Army headquarters as
a specialist in the delivery of healthcare.
The Skills Following the 44-week Regular
Commissioning Course at Sandhurst, you
will learn how to command a team of
CMTs who provide healthcare to a
Battlegroup. You may also gain civilian
qualifications in health management as
well as modules in Major Incident Medical
Management and Medical Engagement in
the Civil Community. You will also have
the chance to study for a Diploma and
Masters in Health Service Management.
OPERATING THEATRE
PRACTITIONER
The Role During operational deployments
you will work in a field hospital or with a
team of anaesthetists and surgeons. In
peacetime you will be stationed in a
Ministry of Defence hospital unit. During
operations you will work in an Army field
hospital or with a damage-control surgical
team attached to a medical regiment.
The Skills After training you get a diploma
in Operating Department Practice. To
join the Territorials you must be qualified ➤
17
OPPORTUNITIES
Job notes
Name: Private Aaron Rennie, 23
Job: RAMC Operating Theatre
Practitioner (Regular)
I enjoy my work on
bases in the UK, but
the biggest rewards come
on operations. I can be sterilising equipment
one minute, plastering limbs or helping with
resuscitation the next. They rotate your duties
when you’re on tour so you’re not always on
high alert. It’s a rewarding experience, and
one that never gets monotonous. I’m hoping
to move into management before too
long, and the Army’s training will help
me get there.
PHYSIOTHERAPIST OFFICER
The Role You will treat musculo-skeletal
injuries and advise commanders on
how to prevent injury during training.
You will work in a Field Hospital or you
could be attached to a medical regiment,
using your expertise to deliver treatment
to combat casualties.
The Skills You will develop your clinical
expertise in a combat situation and take
on relevant postgraduate training.
Territorial and Regular Physiotherapists
require a degree in Physiotherapy, and
must be members of the Chartered Society
of Physiotherapists and registered with
the Health Professions Council.
in Operating Department Practice,
registered with the Health Professions
Council and practising now.
PHARMACIST OFFICER
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
Still at college or university and need support? Want someone to help with your fees and
guide you through your course? Ask a Careers Adviser about sponsorship schemes
If you’re studying for a medical
qualification and considering
joining the Army, there are a
number of financial incentives
on offer to help you through
college or university.
Those studying health and
social care, or animal care and veterinary science,
can take advantage of the Further Education
Bursary Scheme in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland. In Scotland it’s called the FE Award
Scheme. It gives financial rewards to college
18
students, or those completing a
relevant vocational qualification,
who are looking to pursue a
career in the Army at the end of
their studies.
University students thinking
about a career as a doctor, dentist
or nurse in the Army may be eligible for a medical
cadetship. Cadetships take the form of financial
sponsorship – you could receive an annual salary
while you study, and have all your tuition fees paid
for by the Ministry of Defence.
The Role You will provide pharmaceutical
support to medical professionals across
the Armed Forces. You will also act as an
adviser to Army GPs at primary-care level.
Pharmacists act as advisers to Field Hospital
Commanding Officers and other unit
commanders on matters such as the storage
and distribution of drugs.
The Skills This is an excellent chance to
adapt your skills to the needs of troops in
the field. Qualified pharmacists can join
at the beginning of their pre-registration
training. Both Regulars and Territorials
must be registered with the General
Pharmaceutical Council.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
The Role You will be providing drugs
and equipment for patients, working in
challenging conditions around the globe.
The Skills You will learn how to provide
pharmaceutical services in combat
situations. This includes supplying and
dispensing medicines and equipment in
both hospitals and primary healthcare
environments. To join as a Territorial you
should already have an NVQ Level 3 in
Pharmaceutical Sciences. You should
be working in a secondary healthcare
environment or have recent experience.
Treating locals injured in
fighting is a major part
of your role in combat
RADIOGRAPHER
The Role As a Radiographer you will
provide a high quality imaging service
in a range of operational scenarios and
environments around the world. You will
be an important member of a trauma team
working closely with military surgeons
and physicians to provide high standards
of medical care. You will operate field
X-ray machines, f luoroscopes and CT
scanners to provide a rapid and effective
diagnosis service. You will also become
an expert in forensic radiography.
The Skills To train for this role you
will be employed in NHS hospitals and
field units. You may also have the chance
to work overseas at the military hospital
in Cyprus. The RAMC offers postgraduate
training courses to develop combat
medical skills and further professional
development. You will get comprehensive
training in diagnostic imaging as you will
be solely responsible for all aspects of
radiation safety. Territorial applicants
should already have a degree in Diagnostic
Radiography or equivalent, and be
working in the secondary healthcare
environment. You must also be registered
with the Health Professions Council. ➤
WHAT I DO
Name: Captain Skye
Manton, 24 Job: RAMC Physiotherapist Officer (Regular)
What does your job involve?
At the moment I’m the equivalent of
a rotational physio in the NHS, but
in uniform. You have to work in
critical care for six months, and spend
a further six months working with
outpatients before you can deploy.
And when you’re on tour you deal
with civilian rehabilitation, as well as
deliver healthcare to your own troops.
What are your responsibilities?
On tour, I am an officer in charge
of a rehabilitation team. I’m a physio
first, and on top of this I lead a team
of rehabilitation specialists from the
RAMC, as well as remedial instructors
from the Royal Army Physical Training
Corps (RAPTC). But in the AMS you
get f lexibility to do more than just
your job – there’s always time for
adventurous training abroad and
the chance to try new sports.
For more information about these jobs go to army.mod.uk/jobs
19
OPPORTUNITIES
WHAT I DO
care to soldiers and civilians. You will
take a lead role in the professional and
personal development of junior team
members. Nursing and medical teams
can be deployed on exercises or operations.
The Skills Post-registration study is vital
to your Clinical Professional Development
and ample opportunities exist to specialise
in a specific area of Nursing all the way up
to PhD. Qualified Territorial nurses can
also apply to be Nursing Officers.
Name: Captain Carl
Southern, 30
Job: QARANC Nursing
Officer (Regular)
MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING OFFICER
Have you been on operations?
I’ve served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
You get to experience a completely
different environment and observe
all of the complexities of life out
there. It really broadens your outlook
on life. I also enjoy using my
expertise to provide aid – working
with soldiers on operations is
a great experience.
The Role Mental Health Nursing Officers
work in close-knit teams in Department
of Community Mental Health units based
in the UK and Germany. You might also
work in field-based medical units.
The Skills Your military skills will be
crafted by working in Departments of
Community Mental Health within
military garrisons. If you are a suitably
qualified and experienced Community
Psychiatric Nurse, you could apply to be
a Territorial Nursing Officer.
What’s the best thing about your
role as an officer in QARANC?
The work is varied, and I get to
travel abroad and enjoy plenty of
adventurous training. But the best
thing is working with the soldiers,
finding out what makes them tick
and seeing them develop as people.
QUEEN ALEXANDRA’S
ROYAL ARMY
NURSING CORPS (QARANC)
HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT
The Role Healthcare Assistants work
in Ministry of Defence Hospital Units,
primary healthcare, field hospitals
and medical regiments. You’ll care for
military and civilian patients.
The Skills Whether you wish to become a
Healthcare Assistant as a Regular or as a
Territorial, you do not require any formal
qualifications. The Army will give you all
the training you need to develop the
required skills on the job. You will first
complete an initial 14-week training
course at an Army Training Regiment
alongside junior soldiers from the wider
Army. After this, you will attend the
20
ADULT HEALTH NURSE
Defence Medical Services Training Group
to commence your academic and clinical
training. During this time, and on your
first assignment, you will commence the
Diploma in Health.
ADULT HEALTH
NURSING OFFICER
The Role As part of a multi-disciplined
team, Nursing Officers are responsible
for the planning and delivery of nursing
The Role You will work in a variety
of environments, from Ministry of
Defence hospital units, military primary
healthcare facilities, field hospitals,
medical regiments and the operational
healthcare environments.
The Skills You will be deployed in conf lict
and peacekeeping situations. The skills
you learn in training will allow you to
provide brilliant healthcare in a range of
extreme situations. As a Registered Nurse
you complete Phase 1 training before
being posted to your first unit. To become
a Registered Nurse with the Territorials
you should be registered in, and actively
practising, adult health.
MENTAL HEALTH NURSE
The Role You will manage a range of
mental healthcare issues for soldiers
and officers in the UK, and serve Army
professionals and their dependents in
Germany and Cyprus. You will be
“Before joining, I worried that
Army qualifications wouldn’t
match up to civilian ones. In
fact, they’re every bit as good”
Corporal Letso Rapoo, 26
QARANC Healthcare Assistant (Regular)
For more information about these jobs go to army.mod.uk/jobs
Job notes
Name: Private Louise Leitch, 22
Job: QAR ANC Student
Nurse (Territorial)
Being a nurse in the
Territorials takes you
out of your normal day job
and trains you to perform in incredibly
can
challenging conditions. I know that if I
can
cope with pressure on the battlef ield, I
handle anything. You also get the chance
as
to meet other nurses from different are
nds,
of medicine. I’ve made lots of new frie
and there is always someone I can
turn to if I run into any problems.
assigned to a Department of Community
Mental Health unit, and work in one
of the Corps’ many multi-disciplined
teams. Registered Nurses in Mental
Health are deployed on military
operations. Working in a variety of
challenging and demanding situations,
you are responsible for providing mental
healthcare, support and education to
serving members of the Army of all
ranks. Many are currently deployed
on operations in Afghanistan.
The Skills You will gain experience of
nursing in situations unlike anything
you would ever encounter in a civilian
position, and will be encouraged to gain
professional qualifications throughout
your career. To join as a Territorial you
should be registered and practising in
adult mental health.
STUDENT NURSE
The Role As a Student Nurse, you will
train at Birmingham City University.
Your education programme takes place
in a variety of clinical settings, preparing
you for all aspects of military care.
The Skills After Phase 1 training, student
nurses study for three years to gain a
degree in nursing. Once qualified, you
will be posted to a Ministry of Defence
Hospital Unit, Army field hospital or
primary healthcare facility. Nurses
undergoing civilian training can join the
Territorials after their foundation year,
provided they intend using their studies
to work in adult or mental health.
➤
SERVE IN YOUR SPARE TIME
Develop specialist skills and get new qualifications
If you’re an experienced healthcare
professional working in the civilian
medical profession, or even studying to
become one, why not consider lending
your support to the Army in your spare
time? Territorials make a valuable
contribution to Army work. They also
make up around 60 per cent of the AMS,
so your support will make a real difference
to the lives of soldiers and officers.
OPERATE IN THE FIELD
Adapting your knowledge to meet the
needs of British troops also means
learning survival skills and fieldcraft.
Military healthcare takes place in
demanding environments, and your
training will focus on progressive physical
exercise, weapons handling and tactics.
DEVELOP NEW SKILLS
A role in the Territorials is a great way to
add to your skill set because you’ll face
challenges unique to military life. You
might command an immediate response
unit, or drop into a combat zone by
helicopter as part of a Medical Emergency
Team. You’ll learn how to deal with crisis
situations, and develop the management
skills to deliver disaster or humanitarian
relief. You could even increase your
chances of promotion in your civilian job.
21
OPPORTUNITIES
Job notes
Name: Lance Corporal
Denise Russell, 30
Job: RADC Dental
Nurse (Regular)
and tooth structure. To join as a Territorial
Dental Nurse, you must be practising and
registered with the General Dental Council.
DENTIST
My role covers
reception duties
in the dental practice, dealing with
patients coming in and the day-to-day
running of the surgery. I also work
alongside the dentists – assisting them,
mixing materials and cleaning the surgery.
But meeting patients is the thing I enjoy
most about the role. They are so grateful
to dentists for taking away their
pain, which is a really great feeling.
The Role You will manage and coordinate
the Army’s dental care professionals. You
will assess patients and prepare treatment
plans. You will be both a competent
clinician and an effective Army officer.
The Skills. You will be encouraged to
continue your professional development
throughout your career. Dental students
can be commissioned to the rank of
Captain within two years of graduation.
To become a Dental Officer in the
Territorials, you must be fully qualified
with post-graduate qualifications and be
currently practising.
WHAT I DO
Name: Captain Rene Cheema, 29 Job: RADC Dentist (Regular)
ROYAL ARMY DENTAL
CORPS (RADC)
DENTAL HYGIENIST
MOVING UP THE RANKS
Army Medical Services soldiers can expect regular promotions. Moving up the
ranks offers increased responsibility, a pay increase and additional qualifications
PRIVATE
Most AMS soldiers begin their career at this rank.
During your time as a Private, you will have the
opportunity to pick up qualifications recognised
in civilian life.
LANCE CORPORAL
You could pick up your first
stripe after three or four years.
Your pay will go up, and you can
study for BTECs, City & Guilds or NVQs,
and learn the basics of management.
22
CORPORAL
After a further three or four
years, you could get another
promotion and another pay
rise. As you can expect to be in
charge of a section of eight soldiers, you
might gain leadership and management
qualifications. After another three years of
service, there will be opportunities for you to
progress further to the rank of Sergeant. As
Sergeant, you will be responsible for the lives
and careers of other soldiers.
The Role You will carry out treatment
and advise patients on oral health. While
qualified hygienists can join the Army,
Dental Hygienists are usually selected for
training from qualified Dental Nurses or
existing Army soldiers.
The Skills Training takes two years and is
accredited by the General Dental Council,
while the examination is set by the Royal
College of Surgeons (Edinburgh). You will
be trained in anatomy, physiology, dental
diseases, treatments, patient care and
practical treatment skills. You must be
registered with the General Dental Council.
DENTAL NURSE
The Role You will provide assistance to
dentists, and perform administrative
duties in an Army Dental Centre. You will
care for and manage patients, maintain
dental equipment, prepare instruments
and also do some reception work. And
you’ll also get the opportunity to adapt
your skills to the needs of soldiers in the
field, which develops your ability to
handle pressure and make clear decisions.
The Skills You will master the care and
management of patients. You will also
learn about cross-infection control, dental
diseases, how to process X-rays, dentition
“Assisting dentists
has taught me a lot
because they pass on their knowledge
while I’m working”
What’s your main role?
As a Dental Officer you lead a
team of Hygienists, Technicians
and Nurses whose role is to
preserve and promote the
oral wellbeing of soldiers and
officers. Crunch time comes
prior to deployment. At this
point, my team carries out
routine check-ups for those
on active duty, and delivers
speedy emergency treatment
for those people who need it.
Why is oral health so crucial
to the British Army on tour?
Everybody knows how crippling
toothache can be. Dental pain can
destroy morale and take a soldier’s
mind off their job. Teeth are often
compromised in conf lict zones,
and military dentists can rightly
claim to be among the world’s best.
Private Alethia Williams, 26
RADC Dental Nurse (Regular)
DENTAL TECHNICIAN
The Role Dental Technicians make dental
appliances including acrylic and cobalt
chrome dentures, crowns, bridges and
appliances for treating facial injuries.
The Skills The Army does not train its
own Dental Technicians but it does have
limited opportunities for qualified
technicians to join. You will be given the
opportunity and training to specialise in
prosthetics or crown and bridge work.
Dental Technicians selected to work in
hospitals will also be offered specialist
training to fulfil this role. ➤
For more information about these jobs go to army.mod.uk/jobs
23
OPPORTUNITIES
WHAT I DO
Name: Private Ryan Lorimer, 23
Job: RAVC Dog Handler/Trainer (Regular)
Why are Military Working
Dogs important to the Army?
They play a major role in
guarding British bases and
facilities. We train them
to carry out patrols, and
to detect and restrain
intruders. After a few years,
you might also get the
chance to handle specialist
dogs, which are trained to locate explosive
devices in the field or back at base. And
we count on their acute sense of smell
and hearing, which allows them to find
intruders much quicker than humans.
Job notes
Name: Captain Drew Tootal, 34
Job: RAVC Veterinary Off icer
(Regular)
Military Working Dogs are
massively important to the
security of Army facilities. They are
trained to detect and apprehend
intruders, and to search for hidden
arms and explosives. It’s our job to
shape their behaviour and maintain
their wellbeing. It’s a big challenge
to deliver this type of care in
the heart of a combat zone.
And when they find an intruder? They guide you towards the source of any
noise or scent by pointing themselves in
that direction. Once you’ve identified the
threat, the handler takes over while the
dog provides protection.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Big challenges coupled with amazing
rewards. You build a bond of trust with
the animals you work with, and it’s very
satisfying when a dog you’ve trained makes
a big contribution to a combat mission.
ROYAL ARMY
VETERINARY
CORPS (RAVC)
DOG HANDLER/TRAINER
The Role Your role is to train, handle and
deliver veterinary care to the Army’s
Military Working Dogs (MWDs). Using
your combat skills, you will deploy MWDs
to guard strategic assets, provide security
at military bases and detect explosives.
The Skills Training gives you all the skills
24
you need to deliver basic veterinary care
and husbandry. You’ll also learn how to
train and handle MWDs, and deploy
them to assess security threats to
personnel and equipment, and to detect
and apprehend intruders.
Specialist dogs are
trained to search for
explosive devices
VETERINARY OFFICER
The Role You will oversee the health
and welfare of military animals. You
may deploy on operations, advising on
animal employment, disease control and
biosecurity, and taking responsibility for
soldiers under your command.
For more information about these jobs go to army.mod.uk/jobs
The Skills Your initial training will cover
basic military skills. You will then enrol
in the RCVS Certificate in Advanced
Veterinary Practice programme, and you
will also be encouraged to develop areas
of relevant special interest.
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
The Role You’ll care for service animals
and report any signs of their ill health.
You’ll also support Veterinary Officers
(VOs) in their treatment. You may deploy
on operations with the Army’s animals,
taking your trade to the front line. RAVC
soldiers are combatants and do not wear
the red cross armband.
The Skills You’ll become a qualified dog
handler, and learn nursing skills and
basic anatomy. You can get NVQ Levels 2
and 3 in Animal Care, and your training
will be recognised by civilian employers. ■
NURTURING YOUR TALENT
Continuing Professional Development schemes help you achieve your career goals
and make you more appealing to civilian employers if you decide to leave the Army
YOUR DEVELOPMENT
The British Army is linked
to civilian colleges,
universities and awarding
bodies, which means
its qualifications and
courses are accredited
and meet the highest
standards. The AMS also
works closely with the
NHS to ensure all
personnel stay up to date with current medical
practice. As an AMS soldier or officer, you’ll get
the same training and certificates as civilian
healthcare professionals.
YOUR GOALS
Whether you’re a soldier or officer, Regular or
Territorial, everybody in the AMS maintains a
Personal Development Record (PDR). It’s used to
map out what you want to get from your career in
the AMS, and to monitor
whether you’re achieving
your goals. And there are
Army Education Centres
dotted around the
country where you can
get advice and request
additional training if
you’re not progressing as
fast as you’d like to.
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
Army qualifications are some of the most respected
in the country, and the AMS constantly encourages
you to take advantage. Generous subsidies are
available, depending on your length of service.
Standard Learning Credits will cover 80 per cent
of your fees for various personal development
courses and examinations. Enhanced Learning
Credits are also available for more expensive
courses such as A levels and above.
25
NEXT STEPS
“It’s a great feeling to
devote some of your
spare time to helping
the AMS, and you get
loads of respect from
your colleagues –
inside and outside the Army”
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
These are the steps you will be taking on the way to a career in the British Army
W
hether you want to join the
British Army as a soldier or
officer, full time or in your
spare time, you can find out more either
online, by phone or face-to-face at an
Army Careers Centre. These soldiers and
officers have many years of experience in
the Army, will understand your concerns,
and are able to answer any questions you
or your parents may have.
In the meantime, these are your routes
to becoming a serving member of the
Army. Remember, once you have made
your decision to join, this isn’t
a conveyor belt from which there’s no
escape. If you want to return to your
studies and join later, or simply need
more time to make a decision, there are
opportunities before your training begins
to take time out and restart the process
at a later date, or to pull out altogether.
Private Louise Leitch, 22
QARANC Student Nurse (Territorial)
JOIN AS A SOLDIER
CONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS
1
Once you decide to join the
Army you can register
online, by phone or
face-to-face at a recruiting event.
This lets us check that you meet
the Army’s entry conditions, such
as age, nationality and residency.
If you decide to join the
Territorials you may wish to visit
your local unit, to meet the
soldiers and learn more.
INITIAL TESTS
FINAL TESTS
2
3
You will take some basic tests
and assessments to see which
area of the Army best suits you.
This will include an interview, and
will take place at your local Army
Careers Centre. Your Careers Adviser
will then discuss the options available
to you. For those wishing to join
the Territorials, your interview
could take place at your local
Territorial Unit.
NEED MORE TIME?
If you haven’t decided whether to join the Army, or want
to return to full-time education with possible financial
sponsorship, tell your Candidate Support Manager
(recruiter) and they will stay in touch. In the meantime, why
not try an Insight Course to experience Army life first-hand?
Next, you will attend a two-day
course at an Assessment Centre,
where you will undergo fitness,
health and team tests to determine
your suitability for an Army career.
Depending on your choice of trade
you may be required to attend further
assessment. If you decide to join the
Territorials, it’s exactly the same
selection process as the Regulars.
DIDN’T MAKE IT?
CONGRATULATIONS!
4
1
Once you decide to join the Army
you can register online, by phone
or face-to-face at a recruiting
event. This lets us check that you meet
the Army’s entry conditions, such as
age, nationality and residency.
If you decide to join as a Territorial
you may wish to visit your local unit,
to meet the officers and learn more.
INITIAL TESTS
2
To assess your suitability for a
role as a British Army officer you
will be required to take some
basic tests online. You will also be
interviewed by a Senior Careers
Adviser, before attending a medical
and an Army Officer Selection Board
(AOSB) Briefing, which will help
prepare you for the AOSB Main Board.
ARMY OFFICER SELECTION
3
If you are successful at the AOSB
Briefing, you will be put forward to
attend the AOSB Main Board.
Here you will undertake a series of
physical and mental tests over a threeday period to see if you are Army officer
material. For some roles you may be
required to attend further assessment.
As you decide which Corps or Regiment
you wish to join you will be offered Officer
Familiarisation Visits to find out more.
If you decide to join the Territorials,
it’s exactly the same selection process
as the Regulars.
CONGRATULATIONS!
4
You have passed the AOSB
Main Board and are invited
to join the Army for officer
training. You will be assigned a place
on a Commissioning Course (either
the Regular or Professionally Qualified
Officer (PQO) course) at Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst and will formally
enlist in the British Army. Junior
officers will then attend a role specific
course where they learn the skills
required to be an officer. All TA officers
will undergo TA training modules prior
to attending the TA Commissioning
Course at RMAS.
The information in this brochure is correct at the time of going to press.
Please check with a Careers Adviser for latest details.
26
Captain Carl Southern, 30
QARANC Nursing Officer (Regular)
If you didn’t meet the required standards, there may be an
opportunity for you to retake the tests. Your Candidate Support
Manager (recruiter) will let you know the areas you need to
work on, which means you’ll be better prepared next time.
JOIN AS AN OFFICER
CONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS
“Working in unfamiliar
medical environments
sharpens your powers of communication and creates a team
spirit unlike any I’ve
ever experienced”
You will now be offered a place
on Phase 1 Training – a course
designed to give you all the
skills a soldier needs. On the first
day of training you will formally
enlist in the British Army. Phase 2
of your training will be with your
chosen Corps or Regiment. This
is when you will gain the specific
skills to start your job.
If you join as a Territorial then you
will receive modular training either
in separate units, or if you have the
time, a single consolidated package.
“Leading a team while
under pressure really
teaches you how to
motivate the people
around you”
Captain Laura Parton, 21
RADC Dentist (Regular)
To find out more about the Army Medical Services
talk to a Careers Adviser. You can find your local
adviser by visiting
army.mod.uk/contactus
Call 0845 600 8080
Go to army.mod.uk/jobs
27
“THE ARMY PAID FOR ME AT UNIVERSITY AND
THERE WAS A JOB
FOR ME AFTER I
GRADUATED”
The British Army
wholeheartedly supports
the principle of equality of
opportunity in employment.
We are opposed to all forms
of unlawful discrimination
on the grounds of race,
colour, ethnic background,
gender, marital status,
sexual orientation, disability,
religious belief or age. We
are committed, wherever
practicable, to recruiting
and maintaining a workforce
which broadly reflects the
UK population we serve. We
have a strict code of conduct
that ensures zero tolerance
of bullying, harassment,
discrimination and
victimisation on any grounds
RG/BRO/114 March 2013
Produced for the Ministry of Defence by Army Recruiting and
Training Division. Crown Copyright March 2013
Call 0845 600 8080
Go to army.mod.uk/jobs